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A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

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168 THE HISTORYcome ill by way <strong>of</strong> ornament, or that a writer modestlyprefers to his own expressions) I have soratimesoccasion to touch upon passages, which,tho' Icou'd easily abridge, or needed but barelyhint with relation to <strong>the</strong> purpose for wliich I produce<strong>the</strong>m; yet being in <strong>the</strong>mselves ei<strong>the</strong>r verycurious and instructive, or lying in books thatcome into few people's hands, I chuse to give<strong>the</strong>m in my history intire. This method I havelearnt from my best masteifs among <strong>the</strong> antients,who practis'd it with much success; tho', like<strong>the</strong>m, I use it very sparingly. One or two instan-The explication Ices you'll not be sorry to see.have given, in <strong>the</strong> 11th section <strong>of</strong> my first letter, <strong>of</strong>Ogmius, <strong>the</strong> antient Gallic name <strong>of</strong> Hercules, Iam no less certain you do not forget, than that youremember I promis'd to take an opportunity <strong>of</strong>sending you <strong>the</strong> whole piece; which I have thustranslated from <strong>the</strong> originalGreec, with <strong>the</strong> utmostaccuracy." The Gauls," says Lucian *, " callHercules in <strong>the</strong>ir country language Ogmius.<strong>the</strong>y represent <strong>the</strong> picture <strong>of</strong> this God inunusual manner.Buta veryWith <strong>the</strong>m he is a decrepit oldman, bald before, his beard extremely gray, as are<strong>the</strong> few o<strong>the</strong>r hairs he has remaining.His skinis wrinkl'd, sunburnt, and <strong>of</strong> such a swarthy hueas that <strong>of</strong> old mariners: so that you wou'd take•*T«v 'HpaK?.ca oj KlXrcj OFMION cvcfA.a.^0V3-t w)"3 t» £TTiyufiot, et qut« sequUQ*turiu ileicule G««icv: Giieca eteuira lougiora suot, quam ut !uc commodeiiiseri pos'iiiit,

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